LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A central Nebraska farm is tapping into the growing national interest in cover crops, which were popular in organic circles but a rarity among mainstream row-crop producers.

Green Cover Seed in Bladen is selling cover crop seed mixtures to farmers across the nation. The company supports 14 employees, about half of them family members of brothers Keith and Brian Berns.

The brothers started experimenting with the crops in 2008, after hearing discussions about growing rye or radishes to cover and condition soil. They liked what they saw, and ordered more the following year.

They sell the seeds in mixes to mimic the biodiversity found in nature. The brothers still grow soybeans and corn, but income from the seed business has eclipsed the farm.